Auto vs Air Paint
Automotive and Airplane paint are basically the same thing, with some exceptions.
Airplane paint= usually more heat, chemical, and damage resistant. But loads of orange peal in every can LOL, it can be made slick, but not as slick as clear.
Automotive paint= usually less orange peal, fancy colors, and lasts aslong as your payments on the car it was intended to be on.
Both are good choices for, but it depends on what you will do with your airplane. and most important.... HOW ITS PREPPED!!!!!
the old Etch and Alodine is the best way, to prep aluminum. Follow that with a good Zinc Chromate primer, not rattle can!!!! be mindful of your application times and "operating" or crosslinking limits of the materials
For example Jetglo high solids single stage urethane (no clear needed)..
you have a maximum of up too 72 hours (depending on temps) between over all color application and stripe color application, if you do not prep the over all color after that window has expired, your stripes will fall off...
the same holds true for every step in the painting process. do it right or Re do it.
I have been a painter in autobody shops, and aircraft refinishing shops i have painted show winning cars bikes planes boats musical equipment, everything besides a train.. (hmmm a train with a flame job....). I now own a custom aircraft paint shop, and i still do bikes, drag cars, classics, hydro boats etc.. I have painted several RV and Experimental airplanes.. not to mention lots of certified aircraft and war birds.
I have learned that with any system you choose for coating your airplane car or what ever.. there are trade offs that you will have to live with..
With "Airplane"paint like JetGlo, you will trade off color selection, slick finish, and undetectabke tape lines for durability longevity and protection of the aircraft. Mess with the ratios and presures as much as you want, Clear Coat still lays out nicer.
With "automotive" paint Base Clear system you trade off durability and longevity for fancy colors and slick finish (little orange peal). Add all the flex agents (which evaporate with in 30 days anyway) and other additives you want, airplane paint lasts longer.
You have to ask yourself "what do i want to do with this airplane?" and that well help you decide what materials too use... .
Jetglo can last 10 years or more.. if propperly applied and cared for, its tape lines will be thick, and its close to impossible to buff out the orange peal (just dont get orange peal
) but at 20 feet it looks great! It can resist chemicals and fuel spills, hydrolic fluid, heat, and hanger rash that most paints just cant handle.
While some thing like PPG's base/clear will only last about half that, but its color selection and slick finish will bring home a trophy at most airshows... but if you get hydrolic fluid on it, it could be gone!!
If your airplane is really intended to win shows, something like PPG base clear is the only way too go.
Imron (what is duPont up too now Imron 5000 or something) is old technology, it difficult to use, a nightmare to buff, and impossible to "burn" or "spot" repair when the inevitable damage happens.
i avoid Imron and duPonts Nasen as much as i can, not too say i cant use it, there are so many better products out there.
Sanding between Color and Clear... BIG NO NO!!! It should not be done, unless it is unavoidable... ie, **** fell in it, then re-coat the area.
Waterborn paint.... ugh, they keep trying god bless them, but it just aint there yet.. one day it will be the only thing available, reguardless of how lame it is... Remember laquer? its gone the way of the dinos, urethanes are next on the chopping block.
Man i would love to do this all night, but i have to paint an RV7 right now... If any of this helps please let me know, and if you have any ideas or thoughts id love to hear them.
Thanks yall